AT&T and Microsoft Corp. today announced an alliance which would see AT&T deploy Microsoft Connected Services Framework as the foundation of its Microsoft.NET-based service-oriented architecture (SOA), which integrates an array of inter-operable web-based, functional capabilities in a simplified, streamlined manner. This will enable AT&T to provide a consistent service interface to its back-office systems for delivering fully managed, on-demand IP communications services.

The companies are also committed to developing a broad array of network-enabled right-time communications services during the next five years that will focus on messaging, collaboration, media and business applications. These services will expand on AT&T's existing IP services portfolio, including its recently announced Dynamic Network Applications (DNA) portfolio, and Microsoft's set of hosted collaboration, communications and business applications, and will drive the development of other service bundles.

"We are delighted to be partnering with AT&T to develop advanced, software-powered communications services that will create great new opportunities for its customers," said Steve Ballmer, CEO, Microsoft.

"Today's announcement is yet another milestone for AT&T's strategy to deliver next-generation services atop our application-aware IP network. These services will enable enterprises to implement integrated collaboration, messaging, VoIP and conferencing services without the capital investment that locks them into solutions that are not future-proofed," said Dave Dorman, Chairman and CEO, AT&T.